Turbine-engine.



A yPATENTED SEPT. 2.7, 1904. S. N. SMITH.

TURBINB ENGINE. APPLIOATON FILED JUNE 7,1902.

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No. 771,102. PATENTED SEPT. 27, 1904.

" 4 y v S. N. SMITH.

. T URBINE ENGINE.

AFPLIOATION FILED JUNE 7,1902. N0 MODEL.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED SEPT. 2'7, 1904.

6 vSHEETS--SHEET 3.

N0 MODEL.

l l m\\\\\\i No. 771,102. PATENTED SEPT. 27, 1904.

' s, NI SMITH.

EUEEINE ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, V1902. N0 MODEL. 6 vSBIIII'TS-SHEE'I 4.

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No. 771,102. PATENTED SEPT. 27, 1904.

N S. N. SMITH. v

TURBINE" ENGINE.

APPLIOATIUN FILED JUNE 7,1902.

N0 MODEL. 8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

N0 MODEL.

S. N SMITH.

TURBINE ENGINE. APPLIOATION FILED JUNI: "1, 1902.

4PATENTE) SEPT. 27, 1904.

SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Patented September 27, 1904.

PATENT OEEICE.

SOMMERS N. SMITH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TURBINE-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 771,102, dated September 27, 1904.

I Application filed June 7, 1902. Serial No. 110,688. (No model.)

To all whom, it wtrty concern:

Be it known that I, SoMMERs N. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. have invented certain Improvements in Turbine-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to steam-turbines; and it consists of certain improvements in that class of engines in which a series of rotating blades or buckets are arranged between fixed guide-blades.

The object of my invention is to increase the efficiency of a steam-turbine of this character by `disposing the buckets and guideblades in such position that the steam may expand as it iiows from one series of buckets to the next, that such expansion will be in line with the direction of the movement of the steam, and that the natural expansion of the steam will be assisted by a force due to the centrifugal action of the turbine.

My invention consists, further, of certain novel features of construction, which will be pointed out hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevationv of my improved turbine, taken on the line a a, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation taken on the line b 7), Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 1, illustrating a detail of my invention, taken on the line c c, Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation taken on the line d CZ, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation illustrating a further detail of my invention. Fig. 6 is asectional view, similar to Fig. 5, illustrating a special form of expansion-nozzle. Fig. 7 is'a sectional view, similar to Fig. 1, illustrating a modified form of construction; and Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are sectional views illustrating details of my invention.

In the steam-turbine forming the subject of my invention the through spaces between the -revolving buckets and the similar spaces between the iixed guide-blades between which said buckets revolve increase in area in regular order from the center of rotation to the periphery of the moving structure.

In the drawings herewith 1 1 represent disklike members, each having ahub 2, which members may be secured to the shaft 3, passing through said hubs, by means of a suitable key or spline 4. The disk-like members l 1 are secured together at their periphery by means of bolts 5, each of said members having a iiange 6, with apertures arranged at suitable points for the passage of said bolts. Surrounding the disk-like members 1 1 and forming the periphery of the inclosing casing of the turbine is a jacket or shell 7, having the base portion 8 extending at either side, which latter support the bearing-standards 9 for the shaft 3. The webs of the disk-like members converge from the hubs 2 to the rims or ianges 6 of the same, and carried by said disk-like members, being secured thereto or formed integral therewith, are several series of annular buckets or vanes 10, converging in the opposite direction, such buckets increasing in area both circumferentially and laterally in regular order. Inclosing the disklike structure carrying the buckets 10, which constitutes the moving part of the engine, are the annular side walls or plates 11, having concaved surfaces, which plates are secured to the jacket or shell 7 at 12. On the inner side of the sidewalls or plates series of annular ranges of guide-blades 13 are provided, which blades may be secured to said plates in any suitable manner or formed integral therewith. These blades are so arranged with relation to the buckets or vanes of the moving structure as to lie between the same. The guideblades are proportioned and iared in the same manner as the buckets, and hence the space between the flaring walls of the casing and the flaring walls of the disklike structure is tapering in form, extending from a point near the center of rotation to the periphery of the disk-like structure.

Instead of having the'separate disk-like members 1 1, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, I may make the structure formed by such disk-like members in one piece, as shown in Fig. 7, such structure having convexed outer surfaces, to which the buckets 10 may be secured or formed integral therewith. Instead also of making the 4jacket or shell 7 in one piece and securing additional side walls or plates 11 thereto, carrying the guide-blades 13, such jacket may be made in halves, as also shown in Fig. 7, and the guide-blades secured to or formed integral with the inner surface of such side plates or walls and fitting between the vanes or buckets of the moving part in the usual manner.

To form the necessary steam-chambers for the turbine, which chambers are indicated at 14, the annular members 15 are arranged to fit against the side walls or plates 11, being secured thereto at 16 by means of the bolts 17. The steam-chambers are preferably disposed as far from the moving shaft as possible, and each chamber is provided with a steam-inlet port 18, to which suitable pipes leading from any suitable source of supply may be connected. The jacket or shell 7 is provided with an exhaust-outlet 19, which may be arranged at the point noted or at any other suitable point, which outlet may lead to the atmosphere or to a suitable condenser, as desired.

In Fig. 8 I have shown an enlarged view of a portion of my improved turbine, illustrating on a larger scale than the other views special means for preventing leakage between the moving structure carrying the vanes or blades and the fixed structure having' the guide-,blades disposed between said vanes or buckets. These means consist simply of a packing-ring 20, arranged in a suitable annular groove 21, formed in each face of the fixed structure, each packing-ring bearing against the face of the moving structure at 22 and being held in that position by means of the springs 23, the latter being disposed in recesses 24, arranged between the nozzles 25.

Communicating with the steam-chambers 14 and leading to the guide-blades and vanes f are the nozzles 25, which serve to convey the steam from said chambers 14 to the guidebladesand buckets or vanes 10. The nozzles are preferably arranged to provide expansion of the steam, though this is not essential, as the initial expansion of the steam may take place within the first set of guide-blades 13. Instead of a series of independent nozzles I provide a continuous opening forming an annular nozzle by extending the side walls 11, as shown in Fig. 10, the steam passing uninterruptedly from the steam-chambers 14 to the first set of guide-blades. Between the disklike members 1 1 an annular chamber 26 is formed, which chamber may be divided radially by ribs 27, formed on said disk-like members to stien the same. Between the outer walls of the disk-like members and the casing 15 of' the steam-chamber spaces 28 are formed, which spaces communicate with the clearancespaces between the moving buckets and the guide-blades, and hence are liable to fill with steam, which will condense and become highly objectionable. To carry off this steam, I provide the passages 29, leading from the space 28 to the chamber 26 within the disk-like members 1 1, and the passages 29, leading' from said chamber at the periphery of the disklike members, the centrifugal action of the machine insuring the discharge of the steam and any water of condensation through said passages 29 into the exhaust-chamber surrounding the moving structure. To prevent the escape of steam from the spaces 28 in any direction except through the passage 29 into the chamber 26, I provide the plates .30, which are fastened to the hubs 2 and which overlap annular flanges 31,f`ormed on the walls 15 of the steam-chambers.

In Fig. 3 I have shown aview, partlyin section, of a turbine similar to that shown in Fig. 1, in which valves are employed for controlling the inlet-nozzles 25, leading' to the rang'e of buckets and guide-blades of the turbine. In Fig. 4 I have shown aside elevation of this form of turbine, in which the valves are shown in sectional elevation together with one form of means for operating the same. In these views the valves are shown at 35, fitting in recesses formed in the walls of the`nozzles, the valves being movable in said recesses. Each valve isprovided with a stem 36, adapted to a suitably-packed journal-box 37, said stem extending, beyond the easing. In the present instance for the purpose of operating these valves the stems of the same are provided with wrist-pins 38, adapted to be acted upon by cams 39, formed by slotting the wrist-plates 40, surrounding the driving-shaft, such wristplates being suitably mounted and held against rotation and the slots open-ended or closed, as desired. In Fig. 4 I have shown simple cup-valves each controlling a single nozzle. In Fig. 5, however, I have shown valves 41 of a different character than those shown in Fig. 4, which valves may be arranged to control more than one nozzle. In the present instance the valves 41 control two nozzles each, and one nozzle of each set controlled will be opened before the other. In this form of structure the valves 41 are formed by segmental plates adapted to suitable guides and having on their under sides a rack 42, with which pinions 43 mesh, such pinions receiving motion from the stem 36, controlled or operated by the wrist-plate 40. In the present instance each form of valve is operated by the wrist-pins and wrist-plates noted. It is obvious, however, that other means may be employed for the purpose of operating the valves. In Fig. 6 I have shown a sectional elevation, similar to Fig. 2, illustrating a series of expansion-nozzles 45, arranged tangentially, so that the steam will enter the same in the direction of movement of the turbine. With this construction the first range of guideblades is dispensed with, as the steam eX- pands in the nozzles and may be directed immediately to the first range of buckets. All of' the joints between the several sections forming the moving structures as well as the inclosing structure, are packed by means of IOO IOS

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suitable gaskets, so that steam-tight joints may be assured.

The form of steam-turbine made in accordance with my invention is carried by andA adapted to rotate a shaft mounted in Vfixed bearings and is specially applicable for marine work, although it will be understood that its use is not limited to such work.

Iam aware that it is not new to increase the size of the guides and buckets in line with the direction of iiow of the motive fluid and that a continuous annular expansive nozzle leading to such guides or buckets is not new, and I make, therefore, no claim to this construction, broadly; but so far as I am aware, however, I am the first to provide a rotating turbine having the buckets increased in area in line with the direction of movement of the steam, such increase taking place between the center of rotation and the periphery of the moving member circumferentially and laterally, whereby the working efliciency of the steam is increased as its natural expansion is provided for by the increase in area of the spaces between the several guide-blades and buckets and such expansion aided by a force due to the centrifugal action of the machine.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. In a steam-turbine, a casing having a series of guide-blades, and a movable member lcarrying annular ranges of vanes or buckets,

the whole providing a continuous, circumferential steam-expansion chamber extending from a point near the center of rotation to the periphery of the moving member, said moving member being hollow and having provision for the escape of water of condensation.

2. In a steam-turbine, a casing havinga series of guide-blades and a movable member carrying annular ranges of vanes or buckets, the whole providing a continuous, circumferential steam-expansion chamber extending from a point near the center of rotation to the periphery of the moving member, said moving member being hollow and having apertures for the escape of water of condensation.

3. In a steam-turbine, a casing having a series of guide-blades, a movable member carrying annular ranges of vanes or buckets, steam-chambers adjacent the center of the casing, nozzles leading radially outward from said steam-chambers to the guide-blades and buckets, and valves for controlling said nozzles.

1i.v In a steam-turbine, a casing havinga series of guide-blades, a movable member carrying annular ranges of vanes or buckets, steam-chambers adjacent the center of the casing. expansion-nozzles leading' radially outward from said chambers tol the guide-blades and buckets, and valves for controlling said expansion-nozzles.

5. In a steam-turbine, a casing having a series of guide-blades, a movable member carrying annular ranges of vanes or buckets, steam-chambers adjacent the center of the casing, expansion-nozzles leading radially outward from said steam-chambers tothe guideblades and buckets, valves controlling said expansion-nozzles, a shaft to which said movable member is attached, projecting stems carried by the valves, and means for engaging the valve-stems and automatically controlling the valves.

6. In a steam-turbine, a casing having a series of guide-blades, a movable member carrying annular ranges of .vanes or buckets, the whole providing a continuous, circumferential, steam-expansion chamber, said chamber extending and expanding from a point near the center of rotation to the periphery of the moving member, and a packing-ring, with means for setting the same up carried by the casing, said casing being recessed for the reception of said ring and the latter bearing against the moving structure, substantially as described.

7. In a steam-turbine, a casing having a series of annular ranges of guide-blades, a movable member carrying annular ranges of vanes or buckets disposed between the ranges of guide-blades, annular ribs carried by said casing, a shaft upon which said movable member is mounted, and rings carried by said shaft and closing the space between the hubs of the moving member and the ribs of said casing.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciiication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

-SOMMERS N. SMITH.

Witnesses:

MURRAY C. BOYER, Jos. H. KLEIN. 

